Three-Dimensional Preview of Laser-Finished Apparel

ABSTRACT

A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. The user&#39;s preview may be based upon a two-dimensional image of a wear pattern in a laser input file and, from a set of two-dimensional images of a base garment, create a three-dimensional view of the base garment with the wear pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/288,046, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No.11,352,739 on Jun. 7, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplications 62/636,112 and 62/636,108, filed Feb. 27, 2018. Theseapplications are incorporated by reference along with all otherreferences cited in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparel finishing and, morespecifically, the use of a laser in the finishing of garments,especially denim including jeans, shirts, shorts, jackets, vests, andskirts, to obtain a faded, distressed, washed, or worn finish orappearance.

In 1853, during the California Gold Rush, Levi Strauss, a 24-year-oldGerman immigrant, left New York for San Francisco with a small supply ofdry goods with the intention of opening a branch of his brother's NewYork dry goods business. Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, Mr.Strauss realized that the miners and prospectors (called the “fortyniners”) needed pants strong enough to last through the hard workconditions they endured. So, Mr. Strauss developed the now familiarjeans which he sold to the miners. The company he founded, Levi Strauss& Co., still sells jeans and is the most widely known jeans brand in theworld. Levi's is a trademark of Levi Strauss & Co. or LS&Co.

Though jeans at the time of the Gold Rush were used as work clothes,jeans have evolved to be fashionably worn everyday by men and women,showing up on billboards, television commercials, and fashion runways.Fashion is one of the largest consumer industries in the U.S. and aroundthe world. Jeans and related apparel are a significant segment of theindustry.

As fashion, people are concerned with the appearance of their jeans.Many people desire a faded or worn blue jeans look. In the past, jeansbecame faded or distressed through normal wash and wear. The apparelindustry recognized people's desire for the worn blue jeans look andbegan producing jeans and apparel with a variety of wear patterns. Thewear patterns have become part of the jeans style and fashion. Someexamples of wear patterns include combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks,and train tracks.

Despite the widespread success jeans have enjoyed, the process toproduce modern jeans with wear patterns takes processing time, hasrelatively high processing cost, and is resource intensive. A typicalprocess to produce jeans uses significant amounts of water, chemicals(e.g., bleaching or oxidizing agents), ozone, enzymes, and pumice stone.For example, it may take about twenty to sixty liters of water to finisheach pair of jeans.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved process for finishing jeansthat reduces environmental impact, processing time, and processingcosts, while maintaining the look and style of traditional finishingtechniques. There is a need for a tool for creating and previewingpatterns on jeans before laser finishing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tool allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview thesedesigns before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishingapparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on alaser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn the pattern ontoapparel. With the tool, the user will be able to create, make changes,and view images of a design, in real time, before burning by a laser.Input to the tool includes fabric template images, laser input files,and damage input. The tool allows adding of tinting and adjusting ofintensity and bright point. The user can also move, rotate, scale, andwarp the image input.

In an implementation, a method for creating three-dimensional (3D)apparel imagery includes: providing a garment previewing tool thatallows previewing on a computer screen of a selected garment basecustomized by a user with a finishing pattern created using a laserinput file by a laser, where the garment previewing tool includes:providing an option for the user to select the garment base and upon theuser's selection, showing a first garment preview imagery on thecomputer screen including a jeans base image for the selected garmentbase, providing an option for the user to select a wear pattern from amenu of wear patterns, where each wear pattern is associated with alaser input file to be used by a laser to produce that wear pattern ontoa jeans garment, showing a second garment preview imagery on thecomputer screen including the selected wear pattern in combination withthe jeans base image, where the second garment preview imagery replacesthe first garment preview image, in the second garment preview imagery,allowing the user to select the wear pattern and modify a position orsizing of the wear pattern relative to the jeans base image, where asthe user makes changes, the modified positioning or sizing of the wearpattern is displayed to the user in response to selecting and modifyingthe position or sizing of the wear pattern, and in response to modifyingthe position or sizing of the selected wear pattern, generating a thirdgarment preview imagery of the selected garment base with the selectedwear pattern. The third garment preview imagery includes: receiving aset of images of the selected garment base, without a wear pattern,where the set of images includes a plurality of two-dimensional imagesof the selected garment base, receiving a two-dimensional wear patternimage associated with the selected wear pattern, and generating athree-dimensional preview of the selected garment base with the selectedwear pattern applied onto the surface of the selected garment base usingthe set of images of the selected garment base and the two-dimensionalwear pattern image with the modified positioning or sizing of theselected wear pattern. The third garment preview imagery is shown on thecomputer screen including the jeans base image and selected wearpattern, with modified sizing or modified positioning, or a combination.The method includes providing a target garment corresponding to thegarment base selected by the user; and, based on a laser input fileassociated with a selected wear pattern with modified sizing or modifiedpositioning, or a combination, using a laser to create a finishingpattern on an outer surface of the target garment.

The method includes where the garment previewing tool includes: inresponse to selecting the wear pattern, generating the second garmentpreview imagery of the selected garment base with the selected wearpattern including generating another three-dimensional preview of theselected garment base with the selected wear pattern applied onto thesurface of the selected garment base using the set of images of theselected garment base and the two-dimensional wear pattern image, wherethe second garment preview imagery includes the selected wear pattern ina different sizing or positioning than the third garment previewimagery.

The third garment preview imagery may be stored as a GraphicsInterchange Format (GIF) image. The garment previewing tool may includeallowing the user to see multiple views of the third garment previewimagery at different angles.

The method includes where the garment previewing tool includes:providing an option for the user to select another wear pattern from themenu of wear patterns, showing a fourth garment preview imagery on thecomputer screen including the other selected wear pattern in combinationwith the jeans base image, in the fourth garment preview imagery,allowing the user to select the other wear pattern and modify a positionor sizing of the other wear pattern relative to the jeans base image,where as the user makes changes, the modified positioning or sizing ofthe other wear pattern is displayed to the user in response to selectingand modifying the position or sizing of the other wear pattern, and inresponse to modifying the position or sizing of the selected other wearpattern, generating a fifth garment preview imagery of the selectedgarment base with the selected other wear pattern including: receivingthe set of images of the selected garment base, without a wear pattern,receiving another two-dimensional wear pattern image associated with theother selected wear pattern, and generating a three-dimensional previewof the selected garment base with the selected other wear patternapplied onto the surface of the selected garment base using the set ofimages of the selected garment base and the other two-dimensional wearpattern image with the modified positioning or sizing of the selectedother wear pattern, showing the fifth garment preview imagery on thecomputer screen including the jeans base image and selected other wearpattern, with modified sizing or modified positioning, or a combination.

The method includes where a method of manufacturing the target garmentincludes: assembling the target garment from fabric panels of a wovenfirst material including a warp including indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn,where the fabric panels are sewn together using thread.

The method includes where based on the laser input file, the laserremoves selected amounts of material from the surface of a material ofthe target garment at different pixel locations of the garment, and forlighter pixel locations of the finishing pattern, a greater amount ofthe indigo ring-dyed cotton warp yarn is removed, while for darker pixellocations of the finishing pattern, a lesser amount of the indigoring-dyed cotton warp yarn is removed.

The method includes where when using the laser to create a finishingpattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of thelaser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser including at leastone of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burningspeed.

The method includes where the target garment is made of at least one ofa twill material or a cotton twill material. The method includes wherethe garment base corresponds to a base fit fabric and the base fitfabric includes known characteristics regarding the suitability of thebase fit fabric for finishing using the laser.

The method includes where the set of images of the selected garment baseis generated using a contour generation process, where during thecontour generation process, the selected garment base is worn by amannequin. The method includes where the set of images of the selectedgarment base is generated using a contour generation process, whereduring the contour generation process, the selected garment base is notflat. The method includes where generating the third garment previewimagery is generated in near real-time with the user's modification ofthe sizing or positioning of the selected wear pattern.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designationsrepresent like features throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for creating, designing,producing apparel products with laser finishing.

FIG. 2 shows a flow for a finishing technique that includes the use of alaser.

FIG. 3 shows a weave pattern for a denim fabric.

FIGS. 4-7 show how the laser alters the color of ring-dyed yarn.

FIG. 8 shows a flow for finishing in two finishing steps and using basetemplates.

FIG. 9 shows multiple base templates and multiple resulting finishedproducts from each of these templates.

FIG. 10 shows a distributed computer network.

FIG. 11 shows a computer system that can be used in laser finishing.

FIG. 12 shows a system block diagram of the computer system.

FIGS. 13-14 show examples of mobile devices.

FIG. 15 shows a system block diagram of a mobile device.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of a system for creating, designing,producing apparel products with laser finishing.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of a specific implementation of a previewtool.

FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of a brief tool.

FIG. 19 shows a technique of generating a preview of a finished imageusing a brief tool.

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of a technique of generating a preview ofa laser finishing pattern on a garment.

FIG. 21 shows a system diagram for a three-dimensional previewing tool.

FIG. 22 shows a flow of creating 3D imagery of an apparel design system.

FIG. 23 shows an overall flow for creating a three-dimensional previewfor a particular apparel product, such as a pair of jeans.

FIG. 24 shows using a turntable that may be used to capture series ofphotographs of the jeans on the mannequin.

FIG. 25 shows an electric turntable which turns one revolution or 360degrees automatically.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a three-dimensional mapping onto contours orshape of the mannequin or model wearing the jeans.

FIG. 27 shows an example of perspective transformation.

FIG. 28 shows a more detailed flow for creating a three-dimensionalpreview.

FIG. 29 shows a graph and equation for a mathematical technique to mapor approximate a surface profile.

FIG. 30 shows of a technique of shape projection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a process flow 101 for manufacturing apparel such as jeans,where garments are finished using a laser. The fabric or material forvarious apparel including jeans is made from natural or synthetic fibers106, or a combination of these. A fabric mill takes fibers and processes109 these fibers to produce a laser-sensitive finished fabric 112, whichhas enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing.

Some examples of natural fibers include cotton, flax, hemp, sisal, jute,kenaf, and coconut; fibers from animal sources include silk, wool,cashmere, and mohair. Some examples of synthetic fibers includepolyester, nylon, spandex or elastane, and other polymers. Some examplesof semisynthetic fibers include rayon, viscose, modal, and lyocell,which are made from a regenerated cellulose fiber. A fabric can be anatural fiber alone (e.g., cotton), a synthetic fiber alone (e.g.,polyester alone), a blend of natural and synthetic fibers (e.g., cottonand polyester blend, or cotton and spandex), or a blend of natural andsemisynthetic fibers, or any combination of these or other fibers.

For jeans, the fabric is typically a denim, which is a sturdy cottonwarp-faced textile in which a weft passes under two or more warpthreads. This twill weaving produces a diagonal ribbing. The yarns(e.g., warp yarns) are dyed using an indigo or blue dye, which ischaracteristic of blue jeans.

Although this patent describes the apparel processing and finishing withrespect to jeans, the invention is not limited jeans or denim products,such as shirts, shorts, jackets, vests, and skirts. The techniques andapproaches described are applicable to other apparel and products,including non-denim products and products made from knit materials. Someexamples include T-shirts, sweaters, coats, sweatshirts (e.g., hoodies),casual wear, athletic wear, outerwear, dresses, evening wear, sleepwear,loungewear, underwear, socks, bags, backpacks, uniforms, umbrellas,swimwear, bed sheets, scarves, and many others.

A manufacturer creates a design 115 (design I) of its product. Thedesign can be for a particular type of clothing or garment (e.g., men'sor women's jean, or jacket), sizing of the garment (e.g., small, medium,or large, or waist size and inseam length), or other design feature. Thedesign can be specified by a pattern or cut used to form pieces of thepattern. A fabric is selected and patterned and cut 118 based on thedesign. The pattern pieces are assembled together 121 into the garment,typically by sewing, but can be joined together using other techniques(e.g., rivets, buttons, zipper, hoop and loop, adhesives, or othertechniques and structures to join fabrics and materials together).

Some garments can be complete after assembly and ready for sale.However, other garments are unfinished 122 and have additional finishing124, which includes laser finishing. The finishing may include tinting,washing, softening, and fixing. For distressed denim products, thefinishing can include using a laser to produce a wear pattern accordingto a design 127 (design II). Some additional details of laser finishingare described in U.S. patent application 62/377,447, filed Aug. 19,2016, and Ser. No. 15/682,507, filed Aug. 21, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 10,051,905 on Aug. 21, 2018, are incorporated by reference alongwith all other references cited in this application. U.S. patentapplications 62/636,108, filed Feb. 27, 2018, and 62/715,788, filed Aug.7, 2018, describe some specific implementations of a brief builderapplication and are incorporated by reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/288,035, filed Feb. 27, 2019, Ser.No. 16/288,036, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,051,571on Jul. 6, 2021, Ser. No. 16/288,038, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,918,151 on Feb. 16, 2021, Ser. No. 16/288,042, filedFeb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,000,086 on May 11, 2021, Ser.No. 16/288,047, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,820,650on Nov. 3, 2020, Ser. No. 16/288,048, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,687,573 on Jun. 23, 2020, Ser. No. 16/288,050, filedFeb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,140,936 on Oct. 12, 2021, Ser.No. 16/288,053, filed Feb. 27, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,163on Jul. 13, 2021, and Ser. No. 16/288,054, filed Feb. 27, 2019, areincorporated by reference.

Design 127 is for postassembly aspects of a garment while design 115 isfor preassembly aspects of a garment. After finishing, a finishedproduct 130 (e.g., a pair of jeans) is complete and ready for sale. Thefinished product is inventoried and distributed 133, delivered to stores136, and sold to consumers or customers 139. The consumer can buy andwear worn blue jeans without having to wear out the jeans themselves,which usually takes significant time and effort.

Traditionally, to produce distressed denim products, finishingtechniques include dry abrasion, wet processing, oxidation, or othertechniques, or combinations of these, to accelerate wear of the materialin order to produce a desired wear pattern. Dry abrasion can includesandblasting or using sandpaper. For example, some portions or localizedareas of the fabric are sanded to abrade the fabric surface. Wetprocessing can include washing in water, washing with oxidizers (e.g.,bleach, peroxide, ozone, or potassium permanganate), spraying withoxidizers, washing with abrasives (e.g., pumice, stone, or grit).

These traditional finishing approaches take time, incur expense, andimpact the environment by utilizing resources and producing waste. It isdesirable to reduce water and chemical usage, which can includeeliminating the use agents such as potassium permanganate and pumice. Analternative to these traditional finishing approaches is laserfinishing.

FIG. 2 shows a finishing technique that includes the use of a laser 207.A laser is a device that emits light through a process of opticalamplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagneticradiation. Lasers are used for bar code scanning, medical proceduressuch as corrective eye surgery, and industrial applications such aswelding. A particular type of laser for finishing apparel is a carbondioxide laser, which emits a beam of infrared radiation.

The laser is controlled by an input file 210 and control software 213 toemit a laser beam onto fabric at a particular position or location at aspecific power level for a specific amount of time. Further, the powerof the laser beam can be varied according to a waveform such as a pulsewave with a particular frequency, period, pulse width, or othercharacteristic. Some aspects of the laser that can be controlled includethe duty cycle, frequency, marking or burning speed, and otherparameters.

The duty cycle is a percentage of laser emission time. Some examples ofduty cycle percentages include 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 80, and 100 percent.The frequency is the laser pulse frequency. A low frequency might be,for example, 5 kilohertz, while a high frequency might be, for example,25 kilohertz. Generally, lower frequencies will have higher surfacepenetration than high frequencies, which has less surface penetration.

The laser acts like a printer and “prints,” “marks,” or “burns” a wearpattern (specified by input file 210) onto the garment. The fabric thatis exposed to the laser beam (e.g., infrared beam) changes color,lightening the fabric at a specified position by a certain amount basedon the laser power, time of exposure, and waveform used. The lasercontinues from position to position until the wear pattern is completelyprinted on the garment.

In a specific implementation, the laser has a resolution of about 34dots per inch (dpi), which on the garment is about 0.7 millimeters perpixel. The technique described in this patent is not dependent on thelaser's resolution, and will work with lasers having more or lessresolution than 34 dots per inch. For example, the laser can have aresolution of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 72, 80, 96, 100, 120, 150,200, 300, or 600 dots per inch, or more or less than any of these orother values. Typically, the greater the resolution, the finer thefeatures that can be printed on the garment in a single pass. By usingmultiple passes (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or more passes) with the laser, theeffective resolution can be increased. In an implementation, multiplelaser passes are used.

Jeans are dyed using an indigo dye, which results in a blue coloredfabric. The blue color is caused by chromophores trapped in the fabricwhich reflect light as a blue color. U.S. patent application 62/433,739,filed Dec. 13, 2016, which is incorporated by reference, describes adenim material with enhanced response characteristics to laserfinishing. Using a denim material made from indigo ring-dyed yarn,variations in highs and lows in indigo color shading is achieved byusing a laser.

FIG. 3 shows a weave pattern of a denim fabric 326. A loom does theweaving. In weaving, warp is the lengthwise or longitudinal yarn orthread in a roll, while weft or woof is the transverse thread. The weftyarn is drawn through the warp yarns to create the fabric. In FIG. 3,the warps extend in a first direction 335 (e.g., north and south) whilethe wefts extend in a direction 337 (e.g., east and west). The wefts areshown as a continuous yarn that zigzags across the wefts (e.g., carriedacross by a shuttle or a rapier of the loom). Alternatively, the weftscould be separate yarns. In some specific implementations, the warp yarnhas a different weight or thickness than the weft yarns. For example,warp yarns can be coarser than the weft yarns.

For denim, dyed yarn is used for the warp, and undyed or white yarn istypically used for the weft yarn. In some denim fabrics, the weft yarncan be dyed and have a color other than white, such as red. In the denimweave, the weft passes under two or more warp threads. FIG. 3 shows aweave with the weft passing under two warp threads. Specifically, thefabric weave is known as a 2×1 right-hand twill. For a right-hand twill,a direction of the diagonal is from a lower left to an upper right. Fora left-hand twill, a direction of the diagonal is from a lower right toan upper left. But in other denim weaves, the weft can pass under adifferent number of warp threads, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more. Inother implementation, the denim is a 3×1 right-hand twill, which meansthe weft passes under three warp threads.

Because of the weave, one side of the fabric exposes more of the warpyarns (e.g., warp-faced side), while the other side exposes more of theweft yarns (e.g., weft-faced side). When the warp yarns are blue andweft yarns are white, a result of the weave is the warp-faced side willappear mostly blue while the reverse side, weft-faced side, will appearmostly white.

In denim, the warp is typically 100 percent cotton. But some warp yarnscan be a blend with, for example, elastane to allow for warp stretch.And some yarns for other fabrics may contain other fibers, such aspolyester or elastane as examples.

In an indigo ring-dyed yarn, the indigo does not fully penetrate to acore of the yarn. Rather, the indigo dye is applied at a surface of thecotton yarn and diffuses toward the interior of the yarn. So when theyarn is viewed cross-sectionally, the indigo dyed material will appearas a ring on around an outer edge of the yarn. The shading of the indigodye will generally lighten in a gradient as a distance increases fromthe surface of the yarn to the center (or core) of the yarn.

During laser finishing, the laser removes a selected amount of thesurface of the indigo dyed yarn (e.g., blue color) to reveal a lightercolor (e.g., white color) of the inner core of the ring-dyed yarn. Themore of the indigo dyed material that is removed, the lighter the color(e.g., lighter shade of blue). The more of the indigo dyed material thatremains, the darker the color (e.g., deeper shade of blue). The lasercan be controlled precisely to remove a desired amount of material toachieve a desired shade of blue in a desired place or position on thematerial.

With laser finishing, a finish can be applied (e.g., printed or burnedvia the laser) onto apparel (e.g., jeans and denim garments) that willappear similar to or indistinguishable from a finish obtained usingtraditional processing techniques (e.g., dry abrasion, wet processing,and oxidation). Laser finishing of apparel is less costly and is fasterthan traditional finishing techniques and also has reduced environmentalimpact (e.g., eliminating the use of harsh chemical agents and reducingwaste).

FIGS. 4-7 show how the laser alters the color of ring-dyed yarn. FIG. 4shows a laser beam 407 striking a ring-dyed yarn 413 having indigo-dyedfibers 418 and white core fibers 422. The laser removes the dyed fibers,which can be by vaporizing or otherwise destroying the cotton fiber viaheat or high temperature that the laser beam causes.

FIG. 5 shows the laser using a first power level setting or firstexposure time setting, or a combination of these, to remove some of thedyed fibers, but not revealing any of the white core fibers. The undyedfibers remain covered. There is no color change.

FIG. 6 shows the laser using a second power level setting or secondexposure time setting, or a combination of these, to remove more of thedyed fibers than in FIG. 5. The second power level is greater than thefirst power level, or the second exposure time setting is greater thanthe first exposure time setting, or a combination of these. The resultis some of the undyed fibers are revealed. There is a color change,subtle highlighting.

FIG. 7 shows the laser using a third power level setting or thirdexposure time setting, or a combination of these, to remove even more ofthe dyed fibers than in FIG. 6. The third power level is greater thanthe second power level, or the third exposure time setting is greaterthan the second exposure time setting, or a combination of these. Theresult is more of the undyed fibers are revealed. There is a colorchange, brighter highlighting.

As shown in FIG. 2, before laser 207, the fabric can be prepared 216 forthe laser, which may be referred to as a base preparation, and caninclude a prelaser wash. This step helps improves the results of thelaser. After the laser, there can be a postlaser wash 219. This wash canclean or remove any residue caused by the laser, such as removing anycharring (which would appear as brown or slightly burning). There can beadditional finish 221, which may be including tinting, softening, orfixing, to complete finishing.

FIG. 8 shows a technique where finishing 124 is divided into twofinishing steps, finishing I and finishing II. Finishing I 808 is aninitial finishing to create base templates 811. With finishing II 814,each base template can be used to manufacture multiple final finishes817.

FIG. 9 shows multiple base templates, base A, base B, and base C. Thesebase templates may be referred to as base fit fabrics or BFFs. In animplementation, the base templates can be created during base prep andprelaser wash 216 (see FIG. 2). During finishing I, by using differentwash 216 methods or recipes, each different base template can becreated.

Finishing II can include laser finishing. Base A is lasered withdifferent designs to obtain various final product based on base A (e.g.,FP(A)1 to FP(A)i, where i is an integer). Base B is lasered withdifferent designs to obtain various final products based on base B(e.g., FP(B)1 to FP(B)j, where j is an integer). Base C is lasered withdifferent designs to obtain various final products based on base C(e.g., FP(C)1 to FP(C)k, where k is an integer). Each base can be usedto obtain a number of different final designs. For example, the integersi, j, and k can have different values.

As described above and shown in FIG. 2, after finishing II, there can beadditional finishing during post laser wash 219 and additional finishing221. For example, during the postlaser wash, there may be additionaltinting to the lasered garments. This tinting can result in an overallcolor cast to change the look of the garment.

In an implementation, laser finishing is used to create many differentfinishes (each a different product) easily and quickly from the samefabric template or BFF or “blank.” For each fabric, there will be anumber of base fit fabrics. These base fit fabrics are lasered toproduce many different finishes, each being a different product for aproduct line. Laser finishing allows greater efficiency because by usingfabric templates (or base fit fabrics), a single fabric or material canbe used to create many different products for a product line, more thanis possible with traditional processing. This reduces the inventory ofdifferent fabric and finish raw materials.

For a particular product (e.g., 511 product), there can be two differentfabrics, such as base B and base C of FIG. 9. The fabrics can be part ofa fabric tool kit. For base B, there are multiple base fit fabrics,FP(B)1, FP(B)2, and so forth. Using laser finishing, a base fit fabric(e.g., FP(B)1) can be used to product any number of different finishes(e.g., eight different finishes), each of which would be considered adifferent product model.

For example, FP(B)1 can be laser finished using different laser files(e.g., laser file 1, laser file 2, laser file 3, or others) or havedifferent postlaser wash (e.g., postlaser wash recipe 1, postlaser washrecipe 2, postlaser wash recipe 3, or others), or any combination ofthese. A first product would be base fit fabric FP(B)1 lasered usinglaser file 1 and washed using postlaser wash recipe 1. A second productwould be base fit fabric FP(B)1 lasered using laser file 2 and washedusing postlaser wash recipe 1. A third product would be base fit fabricFP(B)1 lasered using laser file 2 and washed using postlaser wash recipe2. And there can be many more products based on the same base fitfabric. Each can have a different product identifier or uniqueidentifier, such as a different PC9 or nine-digit product code.

With laser finishing, many products or PC9s are produced for each basefit fabric or blank. Compared to traditional processing, this is asignificant improvement in providing greater numbers of differentproducts with less different fabrics and finishes (each of which intraditional processing consume resources, increasing cost, and taketime). Inventory is reduced. The technique of providing base fitfinishes or fabric templates for laser finishing has significant andmany benefits.

A system incorporating laser finishing can include a computer to controlor monitor operation, or both. FIG. 10 shows an example of a computerthat is component of a laser finishing system. The computer may be aseparate unit that is connected to a system, or may be embedded inelectronics of the system. In an embodiment, the invention includessoftware that executes on a computer workstation system or server, suchas shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a distributed computer network1000 incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. Computernetwork 1000 includes a number of client systems 1013, 1016, and 1019,and a server system 1022 coupled to a communication network 1024 via aplurality of communication links 1028. Communication network 1024provides a mechanism for allowing the various components of distributednetwork 1000 to communicate and exchange information with each other.

Communication network 1024 may itself be comprised of manyinterconnected computer systems and communication links. Communicationlinks 1028 may be hardwire links, optical links, satellite or otherwireless communications links, wave propagation links, or any othermechanisms for communication of information. Communication links 1028may be DSL, Cable, Ethernet or other hardwire links, passive or activeoptical links, 3G, 3.5G, 4G and other mobility, satellite or otherwireless communications links, wave propagation links, or any othermechanisms for communication of information.

Various communication protocols may be used to facilitate communicationbetween the various systems shown in FIG. 10. These communicationprotocols may include VLAN, MPLS, TCP/IP, Tunneling, HTTP protocols,wireless application protocol (WAP), vendor-specific protocols,customized protocols, and others. While in one embodiment, communicationnetwork 1024 is the Internet, in other embodiments, communicationnetwork 1024 may be any suitable communication network including a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network, anintranet, a private network, a public network, a switched network, andcombinations of these, and the like.

Distributed computer network 1000 in FIG. 10 is merely illustrative ofan embodiment incorporating the present invention and does not limit thescope of the invention as recited in the claims. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize other variations, modifications, andalternatives. For example, more than one server system 1022 may beconnected to communication network 1024. As another example, a number ofclient systems 1013, 1016, and 1019 may be coupled to communicationnetwork 1024 via an access provider (not shown) or via some other serversystem.

Client systems 1013, 1016, and 1019 typically request information from aserver system which provides the information. For this reason, serversystems typically have more computing and storage capacity than clientsystems. However, a particular computer system may act as both as aclient or a server depending on whether the computer system isrequesting or providing information. Additionally, although aspects ofthe invention have been described using a client-server environment, itshould be apparent that the invention may also be embodied in astand-alone computer system.

Server 1022 is responsible for receiving information requests fromclient systems 1013, 1016, and 1019, performing processing required tosatisfy the requests, and for forwarding the results corresponding tothe requests back to the requesting client system. The processingrequired to satisfy the request may be performed by server system 1022or may alternatively be delegated to other servers connected tocommunication network 1024.

Client systems 1013, 1016, and 1019 enable users to access and queryinformation stored by server system 1022. In a specific embodiment, theclient systems can run as a standalone application such as a desktopapplication or mobile smartphone or tablet application. In anotherembodiment, a “Web browser” application executing on a client systemenables users to select, access, retrieve, or query information storedby server system 1022. Examples of Web browsers include the InternetExplorer browser program provided by Microsoft Corporation, Firefoxbrowser provided by Mozilla, Chrome browser provided by Google, Safaribrowser provided by Apple, and others.

In a client-server environment, some resources (e.g., files, music,video, or data) are stored at the client while others are stored ordelivered from elsewhere in the network, such as a server, andaccessible via the network (e.g., the Internet). Therefore, the user'sdata can be stored in the network or “cloud.” For example, the user canwork on documents on a client device that are stored remotely on thecloud (e.g., server). Data on the client device can be synchronized withthe cloud.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary client or server system of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, a user interfaces with the system through acomputer workstation system, such as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows acomputer system 1101 that includes a monitor 1103, screen 1105,enclosure 1107 (may also be referred to as a system unit, cabinet, orcase), keyboard or other human input device 1109, and mouse or otherpointing device 1111. Mouse 1111 may have one or more buttons such asmouse buttons 1113.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited anycomputing device in a specific form factor (e.g., desktop computer formfactor), but can include all types of computing devices in various formfactors. A user can interface with any computing device, includingsmartphones, personal computers, laptops, electronic tablet devices,global positioning system (GPS) receivers, portable media players,personal digital assistants (PDAs), other network access devices, andother processing devices capable of receiving or transmitting data.

For example, in a specific implementation, the client device can be asmartphone or tablet device, such as the Apple iPhone (e.g., AppleiPhone 6), Apple iPad (e.g., Apple iPad, Apple iPad Pro, or Apple iPadmini), Apple iPod (e.g, Apple iPod Touch), Samsung Galaxy product (e.g.,Galaxy S series product or Galaxy Note series product), Google Nexus andPixel devices (e.g., Google Nexus 6, Google Nexus 7, or Google Nexus 9),and Microsoft devices (e.g., Microsoft Surface tablet). Typically, asmartphone includes a telephony portion (and associated radios) and acomputer portion, which are accessible via a touch screen display.

There is nonvolatile memory to store data of the telephone portion(e.g., contacts and phone numbers) and the computer portion (e.g.,application programs including a browser, pictures, games, videos, andmusic). The smartphone typically includes a camera (e.g., front facingcamera or rear camera, or both) for taking pictures and video. Forexample, a smartphone or tablet can be used to take live video that canbe streamed to one or more other devices.

Enclosure 1107 houses familiar computer components, some of which arenot shown, such as a processor, memory, mass storage devices 1117, andthe like. Mass storage devices 1117 may include mass disk drives, floppydisks, magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, fixeddisks, hard disks, CD-ROMs, recordable CDs, DVDs, recordable DVDs (e.g.,DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, HD-DVD, or Blu-ray Disc), flash and othernonvolatile solid-state storage (e.g., USB flash drive or solid statedrive (SSD)), battery-backed-up volatile memory, tape storage, reader,and other similar media, and combinations of these.

A computer-implemented or computer-executable version or computerprogram product of the invention may be embodied using, stored on, orassociated with computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium mayinclude any medium that participates in providing instructions to one ormore processors for execution. Such a medium may take many formsincluding, but not limited to, nonvolatile, volatile, and transmissionmedia. Nonvolatile media includes, for example, flash memory, or opticalor magnetic disks. Volatile media includes static or dynamic memory,such as cache memory or RAM. Transmission media includes coaxial cables,copper wire, fiber optic lines, and wires arranged in a bus.Transmission media can also take the form of electromagnetic, radiofrequency, acoustic, or light waves, such as those generated duringradio wave and infrared data communications.

For example, a binary, machine-executable version, of the software ofthe present invention may be stored or reside in RAM or cache memory, oron mass storage device 1117. The source code of the software of thepresent invention may also be stored or reside on mass storage device1117 (e.g., hard disk, magnetic disk, tape, or CD-ROM). As a furtherexample, code of the invention may be transmitted via wires, radiowaves, or through a network such as the Internet.

FIG. 12 shows a system block diagram of computer system 1101 used toexecute the software of the present invention. As in FIG. 11, computersystem 1101 includes monitor 1103, keyboard 1109, and mass storagedevices 1117. Computer system 1101 further includes subsystems such ascentral processor 1202, system memory 1204, input/output (I/O)controller 1206, display adapter 1208, serial or universal serial bus(USB) port 1212, network interface 1218, and speaker 1220. The inventionmay also be used with computer systems with additional or fewersubsystems. For example, a computer system could include more than oneprocessor 1202 (i.e., a multiprocessor system) or a system may include acache memory.

Arrows such as 1222 represent the system bus architecture of computersystem 1101. However, these arrows are illustrative of anyinterconnection scheme serving to link the subsystems. For example,speaker 1220 could be connected to the other subsystems through a portor have an internal direct connection to central processor 1202. Theprocessor may include multiple processors or a multicore processor,which may permit parallel processing of information. Computer system1101 shown in FIG. 12 is but an example of a computer system suitablefor use with the present invention. Other configurations of subsystemssuitable for use with the present invention will be readily apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art.

Computer software products may be written in any of various suitableprogramming languages, such as C, C++, C#, Pascal, Fortran, Perl, MATLAB(from MathWorks, www.mathworks.com), SAS, SPSS, JavaScript, AJAX, Java,Python, Erlang, and Ruby on Rails. The computer software product may bean independent application with data input and data display modules.Alternatively, the computer software products may be classes that may beinstantiated as distributed objects. The computer software products mayalso be component software such as Java Beans (from Oracle Corporation)or Enterprise Java Beans (EJB from Oracle Corporation).

An operating system for the system may be one of the Microsoft Windows®family of systems (e.g., Windows 95, 98, Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000,Windows XP, Windows XP x64 Edition, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8,Windows 10, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Windows RT), Symbian OS, Tizen,Linux, HP-UX, UNIX, Sun OS, Solaris, Mac OS X, Apple iOS, Android, AlphaOS, AIX, IRIX32, or IRIX64. Other operating systems may be used.Microsoft Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Any trademarks or service marks used in this patent are property oftheir respective owner. Any company, product, or service names in thispatent are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos,and brands does not imply endorsement.

Furthermore, the computer may be connected to a network and mayinterface to other computers using this network. The network may be anintranet, internet, or the Internet, among others. The network may be awired network (e.g., using copper), telephone network, packet network,an optical network (e.g., using optical fiber), or a wireless network,or any combination of these. For example, data and other information maybe passed between the computer and components (or steps) of a system ofthe invention using a wireless network using a protocol such as Wi-Fi(IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i,802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ad, just to name a few examples), nearfield communication (NFC), radio-frequency identification (RFID), mobileor cellular wireless (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 3GPP LTE, WiMAX, LTE, LTEAdvanced, Flash-OFDM, HIPERMAN, iBurst, EDGE Evolution, UMTS, UMTS-TDD,1×RDD, and EV-DO). For example, signals from a computer may betransferred, at least in part, wirelessly to components or othercomputers.

In an embodiment, with a Web browser executing on a computer workstationsystem, a user accesses a system on the World Wide Web (WWW) through anetwork such as the Internet. The Web browser is used to download Webpages or other content in various formats including HTML, XML, text,PDF, and postscript, and may be used to upload information to otherparts of the system. The Web browser may use uniform resourceidentifiers (URLs) to identify resources on the Web and hypertexttransfer protocol (HTTP) in transferring files on the Web.

In other implementations, the user accesses the system through either orboth of native and nonnative applications. Native applications arelocally installed on the particular computing system and are specific tothe operating system or one or more hardware devices of that computingsystem, or a combination of these. These applications (which aresometimes also referred to as “apps”) can be updated (e.g.,periodically) via a direct internet upgrade patching mechanism orthrough an applications store (e.g., Apple iTunes and App store, GooglePlay store, Windows Phone store, and Blackberry App World store).

The system can run in platform-independent, nonnative applications. Forexample, client can access the system through a Web application from oneor more servers using a network connection with the server or serversand load the Web application in a Web browser. For example, a Webapplication can be downloaded from an application server over theInternet by a Web browser. Nonnative applications can also be obtainedfrom other sources, such as a disk.

FIGS. 13-14 show examples of mobile devices, which can be mobileclients. Mobile devices are specific implementations of a computer, suchas described above. FIG. 13 shows a smartphone device 1301, and FIG. 14shows a tablet device 1401. Some examples of smartphones include theApple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Nexus family of devices. Someexamples of tablet devices include the Apple iPad, Apple iPad Pro,Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Google Nexus family of devices.

Smartphone 1301 has an enclosure that includes a screen 1303, button1309, speaker 1311, camera 1313, and proximity sensor 1335. The screencan be a touch screen that detects and accepts input from finger touchor a stylus. The technology of the touch screen can be a resistive,capacitive, infrared grid, optical imaging, or pressure-sensitive,dispersive signal, acoustic pulse recognition, or others. The touchscreen is screen and a user input device interface that acts as a mouseand keyboard of a computer.

Button 1309 is sometimes referred to as a home button and is used toexit a program and return the user to the home screen. The phone mayalso include other buttons (not shown) such as volume buttons and on-offbutton on a side. The proximity detector can detect a user's face isclose to the phone, and can disable the phone screen and its touchsensor, so that there will be no false inputs from the user's face beingnext to screen when talking.

Tablet 1401 is similar to a smartphone. Tablet 1401 has an enclosurethat includes a screen 1403, button 1409, and camera 1413. Typically thescreen (e.g., touch screen) of a tablet is larger than a smartphone,usually 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, or more inches (measured diagonally).

FIG. 15 shows a system block diagram of mobile device 1501 used toexecute the software of the present invention. This block diagram isrepresentative of the components of smartphone or tablet device. Themobile device system includes a screen 1503 (e.g., touch screen),buttons 1509, speaker 1511, camera 1513, motion sensor 1515, lightsensor 1517, microphone 1519, indicator light 1521, and external port1523 (e.g., USB port or Apple Lightning port). These components cancommunicate with each other via a bus 1525.

The system includes wireless components such as a mobile networkconnection 1527 (e.g., mobile telephone or mobile data), Wi-Fi 1529,Bluetooth 1531, GPS 1533 (e.g., detect GPS positioning), other sensors1535 such as a proximity sensor, CPU 1537, RAM memory 1539, storage 1541(e.g. nonvolatile memory), and battery 1543 (lithium ion or lithiumpolymer cell). The battery supplies power to the electronic componentsand is rechargeable, which allows the system to be mobile.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of a system for creating, designing,producing apparel products with laser finishing. A box line plan 1602 isan internal and interim tool for communication between a merchandisinggroup and design group. Through the box line plan, merchandising cancommunicate what needs to be designed by the design group. The box lineplan can have open slots to be designed 1609.

There is a digital design tool 1616 merchants and design can use toclick and drag finish effects (e.g., laser files) and tint casts overimages of base washes in order to visualize possible combinations andbuild the line visually before the garment finish is actually finishedby the laser. The visualizations can be by rendering on a computersystem, such as using three-dimensional (3D) graphics.

U.S. patent application 62/433,746, filed Dec. 13, 2016, which isincorporated by reference, describes a system and operating model ofapparel manufacture with laser finishing. Laser finishing of apparelproducts allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowerscarrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be morereactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales anddilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development,planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model usesfabric templates, each of which can be used be produce a multitude oflaser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.

Designers can use the digital design tool to design products that areused to satisfy the requests in open slots 1609. Designs created usingthe digital design tool can be stored in a digital library 1622. Inputto the digital design tool include fabric templates or blanks 1627(e.g., base fit fabrics or BFFs), existing finishes 1633 (e.g., can befurther modified by the tool 1616), and new finishes 1638. New finishescan be from designs 1641 (e.g., vintage design) captured using a laserfinish software tool 1645, examples of which are described in U.S.patent applications 62/377,447, filed Aug. 19, 2016, and Ser. No.15/682,507, filed Aug. 21, 2017. Digital library 1622 can be accessibleby the region assorting and sell-in 1650. And the digital library can beused populate or satisfy the box line plan.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of a specific implementation of a digitaldesign tool, a preview tool 1703. Digital design tool 1616 can berepresentative of a collection of tools, such as an application suite,including desktop or mobile apps, or a combination.

Preview tool 1703 can be a single tool in a toolbox or toolkit used forlaser finishing of garments, or the tool can be incorporated as afeature of another tool. The preview tool allows a user such as aclothing designer to preview on a computer screen or to generate adigital representation (e.g., image file, JPEG file, BMP file, TIFFfile, GIF file, PNG file, PSD file, or others) of jeans in a selectedbase fit fabric or fabric template 1706 with a selected laser pattern1709 (e.g., from a laser input file). With the digital representation,the user will be able to see or preview the jeans in the selected basefit fabric as if it had been burned with the selected laser input file,without needing to actually laser or burn the jeans.

Some files are described as being of an image file type. Some examplesof image file types or file formats include bitmap or raster graphicsformats including IMG, TIFF, EXIF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PBM, PGM, PPM, BMP,and RAW. The compression for the file can be lossless (e.g., TIFF) orlossy (e.g., JPEG). Other image file types or file formats includevector graphics including DXF, SVG, and the like.

Bitmaps or raster graphics are resolution dependent while vectorgraphics are resolution independent. Raster graphics generally cannotscale up to an arbitrary resolution without loss of apparent quality.This property contrasts with the capabilities of vector graphics, whichgenerally easily scale up to the quality of the device rendering them.

A raster graphics image is a dot matrix data structure representing agenerally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via amonitor, paper, or other display medium. A bitmap, such as a single-bitraster, corresponds bit-for-bit with an image displayed on a screen oroutput medium. A raster is characterized by the width and height of theimage in pixels and by the number of bits per pixel (or color depth,which determines the number of colors it can represent).

The BMP file format is an example of a bitmap. The BMP file format, alsoknown as bitmap image file or device independent bitmap (DIB) fileformat or simply a bitmap, is a raster graphics image file format usedto store bitmap digital images, independently of the display device. TheBMP file format is capable of storing two-dimensional digital images ofarbitrary width, height, and resolution, both monochrome and color, invarious color depths, and optionally with data compression, alphachannels, and color profiles.

The fabric template can be selected from a library of fabric templateimages 1716 or may be a new image uploaded or provided by the user. Eachfabric template images is an image file of a jeans in a base fit fabricor other material. For each jeans model or fit (e.g., models or fits311, 501, 505, 511, 515, 541, 569, 721, and others), there would be oneimage in each different material or base fit fabric.

The laser input file can be selected from a library of laser input files1722 (e.g., files created from vintage jeans or from a group ofdesigners), may be a file 1718 created by the user, or may be a fileuploaded or provided by the user. For example, the user may have createdthe laser pattern (contained within a laser input file) manually using agraphical or image editing tool (e.g., Adobe Photoshop and similar photoediting programs). Or the laser pattern may have been created byanother, such as selected from a library of laser files. The laserpattern may be generated by a computer or automated process, such as maybe used to obtain a laser pattern from vintage jeans. The user will beable to see the results of a burn, make any manual changes oralterations to the pattern (such as additional changes to a vintage jeanpattern in a digital image file) and preview the results again. Thepreview tool allows a user to make and see changes, to the user canobtain feedback faster than having to laser jeans to see the results andalso avoiding unneeded waste (e.g., preliminary versions of burnedjeans).

Each digital representation can be saved in a separate images, and agroup or set of the images can be a called brief of collection of jeans.The preview tool can be used for merchandising, such as generatingimages of a proposed line of products for a particular season, and theseimages can be shared among members of a team to discuss any additions,changes, or deletions to a collection.

A specific version of the preview tool overlays a fabric template inputfile and a laser input file, and then generates an image to display themtogether as a representation of the laser-finished apparel. The laserinput file is aligned to the garment in the fabric template input file,so that the positioning of features in the laser input file and atappropriate positions or places on the garment. The alignment may be byusing alignment marks that are in the input files. The alignment may bean automated alignment or scaling, or a combination.

Brightness, intensity, opacity, blending, transparency, or otheradjustable parameters for an image layer, or any combination of these,are selected or adjusted for the laser input file, so that when thelaser input file is overlaid above the fabric template image, the lookof the garment will appear of simulate the look of a garment had beenburned by a laser using that laser input file.

Adjustable parameters such as opacity can be used to blend two or moreimage layers together. For example, a layer's overall opacity determinesto what degree it obscures or reveals the layer beneath it. For example,a layer with 1 percent opacity appears nearly transparent, while onewith 100 percent opacity appears completely opaque.

Further, a dots per inch (dpi) of the combined image can be adjusted toalso more properly simulate the look of a garment more closely with aburned garment. Dots per inch refers to the number of dots in a printedinch. The more dots, the higher the quality of the print (e.g., moresharpness and detail). By reducing the dpi of the image, this willreduce the image quality, resulting a blurring of the image. In animplementation, the preview tool reduces a dpi of the combined image, tobe of less dpi than the fabric template input file or the laser inputfile. By blurring the preview image, this results in improved simulationthat corresponds better to a burned laser garment. When burning agarment, the garment material or fabric typically limits the resolutionof the result to less than that of the input file.

In an implementation, the dpi of the laser input file is about 72 dpi,while the dpi of the preview image is about 34 dpi. In animplementation, the dpi of the fabric template input file and laserinput file are about 36 dpi or above, while the dpi of the preview imageis about 36 dpi or lower.

FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of a digital brief tool 1803, which alsolike preview tool 1703, provides a real-time preview of an appearance ofpair of jeans when a finishing pattern is applied by burning using alaser input file. The digital brief tool has additional features toallow more flexible designing of jeans.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific flows and steps presented. A flow of the invention may haveadditional steps (not necessarily described in this patent), differentsteps which replace some of the steps presented, fewer steps or a subsetof the steps presented, or steps in a different order than presented, orany combination of these. Further, the steps in other implementations ofthe invention may not be exactly the same as the steps presented and maybe modified or altered as appropriate for a particular application orbased on the data or situation.

The digital brief tool takes as input three types of digital assets1805, fabric template input 1816, damage input 1819, and laser inputfile 1822. Fabric template input 1816 and laser input file 1822 aresimilar to the inputs for the preview tool. Damage input 1819 is animage of damage (e.g., holes, rips, shredded regions, or openings ofvarious shapes and sizes) that can be burned by a laser into jeans. Thedigital brief tool overlays the damage and laser input files over thefabric template.

The user selects a fabric template input, which an image of a jeansstyle in a particular base fit fabric. The user can optionally selectone or more damage inputs. If a damage input is selected, the damageinput will be a layer that overlays the fabric template layer. As forthe preview tool, the user selects a laser input file with laser patternand overlays the fabric template layer. As the user selects the inputs,the user will be able to see in real time the inputs and any changes orupdates in a preview image or brief.

After the inputs are selected, the user can select and perform one ormore operations 1826 on the inputs using the digital brief tool. Theseoperations including adding tint 1831, adjusting intensity 1834,adjusting bright point 1837, move digital asset 1842, rotate digitalasset 1845, scale digital asset 1848, and warp digital asset 1852. Asthe user selects and performs one or more operations, the user will beable to see in real time the changes or updates in the preview image orbrief.

After the fabric template input, the user can add tinting 1831. Tintingwill adjust the hue of the color of the fabric template input. Tintingis representative of the tinting which can be added during the postlaserwash or finishing II, described above. The user will be able to select atint color, and this tint color will be blended with the existing colorof the fabric template input. The amount or intensity of the tinting canbe increased or decreased, such as by using a slider bar.

The user can adjust intensity 1834. In an implementation, intensityadjusts a weight matrix by a percentage of each value in the array. Inan implementation, intensity (or brightness) adjusts an opacity of agenerated adjustment layer (see hue saturation lightness adjustmentlayer described below). The greater the opacity, the more opaque thislayer will appear in the preview or brief image. The less the opacity,the less opaque this layer will appear in the preview or brief image;the layer will appear more transparent so that the layer beneath willshow through more.

When increasing brightness, the opacity of the adjustment layerincreases, and since the adjustment layer is above the fabric templateinput, the generated adjustment layer will become more prominent orvisible, thus making this layer (which has the wear pattern) brighter.Similarly, when decreasing brightness, the opacity of the adjustmentlayer decreases, the generated adjustment layer will become lessprominent or visible, thus making this layer (which has the wearpattern) less bright or fainter. The amount of the intensity can beincreased or decreased, such as by using a slider bar.

The user can adjust bright point 1837. Bright point adjusts the effectof the laser input file on the fabric template input. In animplementation, bright point adjustment changes a midpoint of agrayscale, creating a piecewise linear mapping of the pattern file.

Increasing the bright point will increase an effect of the laser pattern(e.g., causing greater laser pattern highlights) in the laser input fileon the fabric template input, while decreasing the bright point does theopposite (e.g., diminishing laser pattern highlights). The bright pointadjustment can be analogous to changing a pixel time or the time thatthe laser stays at a particular position for a given input from thelaser input file. The amount of the bright point can be increased ordecreased, such as by using a slider bar.

The user can move 1842 or reposition a selected digital asset. Forexample, a damage input (or fabric template or laser file) may be movedto a position desired by the user. The user can rotate 1845 a selecteddigital asset. For example, a damage input (or fabric template or laserfile) may be rotated to any angle relative to the other layers asdesired by the user.

The user can scale 1848 a selected digital asset. This scaling can belocked, maintaining the original aspect ratio of the digital asset, orcan be unlocked, such that the user can change the aspect ratio. Theuser can warp 1852 a selected digital asset. With warping, the user canadjust an aspect ratio of a portion of the digital asset differentlyfrom another portion. For example, one portion of a damage input (orfabric template or laser file) can be squished (e.g., right and leftedges of image pushed toward each other) while another portion isexpanded (e.g., right and left edges of image pulled away from eachother).

After the user has performed selected operations 1826, the digital brieftool shows an image of the jeans with the laser finishing pattern,including any tinting, damage, or other adjustments, as created by theuser. This image can be saved and viewed again later. A user can createmultiple designs, and these can be saved together as part of acollection.

FIG. 19 shows a technique of generating a preview of a finished imageusing a digital brief tool. A base image (or fabric template input) isselected. A hue saturation lightness (HSL) adjustment layer is createdor generated for the selected base image. The HSL adjustment layer canbe the base layer with an adjustment for hue saturation lightness. Whentinting is selected, a solid color adjustment layer is created orgenerated. The solid color adjustment layer has a solid color (e.g.,yellow, green, red, blue, or other color that is used for tinting thegarment) that is in the same form or outline as the garment (e.g.,pants), as indicated by the dotted lines in the figure.

To obtain a final result, which is the final image of the jeans withlaser finishing pattern, a laser pattern mask is combined with the baseimage and HSL adjustment layer. A resulting combination will be based onintensity and bright point settings.

The laser pattern mask is a negative image or reverse image of the laserinput file. For the laser input file, during laser burning, a whitepixel means the pixel is not lasered (which results in the originalindigo color of the fabric), and a black pixel means the pixel will belasered at highest level (which results in the whitest color that can beachieved on the fabric). In an implementation, the laser input file has256 levels of gray, and for levels between 0 (e.g., black) and 255(e.g., white), then the amount of laser burning will be proportionallysomewhere in between.

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of a technique of generating a preview ofa laser finishing pattern on a garment, such as jeans. The technique maybe embodied in a preview generation tool 2001. Inputs to a createpreview image process 2002 include a base template image 2007 and laserinput file 2009. The base template image is used to create an adjustedbase template image 2017, which is also input to the create previewimage process. These create preview image process uses these threeinputs to create a preview image 2027, which can be displayed on acomputer screen for the user.

The adjusted base template image is created from the base template imageby adjusting its hue, saturation, or lightness, or any combination ofthese. Compared to the original base template image, the adjusted basetemplate image will appear washed out or bleached. In other words, theadjusted base template image will appear as if the garment in the basetemplate image were fully bleached or lasered. The adjusted basetemplate image can be an HLS adjustment layer as discussed above.

Digital Brief Tool

Embodiments of a digital brief tool (or garment preview tool) mayexecute on Apple Inc.'s iPad Pro tablet computer device. Although thescreens portray the digital brief tool as executing on an iPad Pro,other suitable electronic devices may execute the digital brief tool.For example, the digital brief tool may execute on a Windows device(e.g., Windows 10 tablet), an Android device, other iPad product familymodels (e.g., iPad or iPad mini), or many other devices.

The iPad Pro 12.9 is a tablet device with rectangular dimensions of 12inches by 8.68 inch, and is 0.27 inches thick. The iPad Pro has a12.9-inch screen, and has nonvolatile memory storage of 64, 256, or 512gigabytes. The iPad Pro has network connectivity via Wi-Fi andoptionally cellular. The iPad Pro has an A10X Fusion chip with 64-bitarchitecture and an embedded M10 coprocessor. Some features of thedigital brief tool can be accelerated by using specialized featuresavailable in the A10X Fusion chip or embedded M10 coprocessor, or both.An operating system of the iPad Pro is Apple iOS 11 (or greater whenreleased). Further, the iPad Pro can be operated with a stylus, theApple Pencil product. And in an implementation, the use can use theApple Pencil with the digital brief tool.

The digital brief tool includes various features, allowing a designer toselect, create, and visualize how an apparel item will look with certaincharacteristics, before the apparel item is produced. The digital brieftool may allow the designer, for one or more characteristics of aproposed apparel item, to assign one or more options to each of thecharacteristics. While assigning the options for characteristics, thedigital brief tool allows the designer to see, based on currentlyassigned options, how the apparel item may appear when produced, in realtime as changes are made.

Selecting gender, series, fit, fabric, or other characteristics in thedigital brief tool may result in having only relevant options presentedto the designer. For example, some characteristics or options may bespecific to a particular gender. Upon selection of the particulargender, characteristics and options with the selected gender will appearfor the designer to use for a proposed apparel item.

In an implementation, the digital brief tool is adapted for use withproducing jeans. For example, the following figures may include variouscharacteristics and options relevant to designing and stylizing ofjeans. However, the digital brief tool may be adapted for use with otherapparel items, such as shirts, jackets, pants, or socks.

Some specific implementations of a digital brief tool are discussed inU.S. application Ser. Nos. 16/177,387, 16/177,412, and 16/177,407, allfiled Oct. 31, 2018, which are incorporated by reference.

Three-Dimensional Previewing

FIGS. 21-30 describe a three-dimensional (3D) previewing tool of a laserfinishing design tool. The three-dimensional previewing tool may be usedin the system for creating, designing, producing apparel products withlaser finishing as shown in FIG. 16.

The three-dimensional previewing tool allows users to see apparel,without needing to manufacture the apparel, to see how it may appear inthe real world. For example, after creating or selecting a product, theuser can view the product in 3D. This 3D preview feature allows a userto see a 360-degree preview of a garment with a laser finishing patternas the garment would appear when it is worn by a person.

FIG. 21 shows a system diagram for a three-dimensional previewing tool.The 3D previewing tool includes contour generation 2101, 3D mapper 2105,and projection 2110. The contour projection 2101 takes two-dimensional(2D) images from a 2D BFF images database 2103, to understand how, fromthe 2D BFF images, each BFF of the BFF images would appear inreal-world. There may be multiple BFFs stored in the 2D BFF imagesdatabase and multiple images of each BFF. The 3D mapper 2105 processesthe contours from the contour generation 2101 and, based on a 2D laserimage from a 2D laser database 2102. The 2D laser database stores one ormore 2D images of a wear pattern that may be applied onto garments usinga laser. The projection 2110 projects the wear pattern onto the 2Dimages of the BFF. These are stored in a 3D BFF images database 2113.

FIG. 22 shows a flow of creating 3D imagery of an apparel design system.In a step 2201, the system includes providing a garment previewing tool.The garment previewing tool may be the digital brief tool, as describedelsewhere in this application. The digital brief may provide variousoptions for a user, such as providing options for the user to select abase garment image. For example, the base garment image may be a jeansbase garment. The base garment image may be composed of any materialsuitable for laser finishing. The user may also select a wear pattern,associated with a laser pattern file that may be processed to create thewear pattern onto a target garment corresponding to the base garmentimage. The user may also modify the position, the sizing, or acombination, of the wear pattern. For example, as the base garment imageis shown, the user may modify the position, the sizing, or thecombination, of the wear pattern. In response to, or in near real-time,the system may show to the user the modifications, without needing tofirst manufacture the target garment.

In a step 2203, the system includes updating a 3D view of the basegarment image. For example, the user's selected wear pattern includes a2D image of the wear pattern and the selected base garment imagecorresponds to a set of 2D images. The set of 2D images may be generatedusing a contour generation process. During the contour generationprocess, the selected garment base is worn by a mannequin, so that it isnot flat.

The system processes the user's modification and, for each image of theset of 2D images, determines how the modified wear pattern should appearand stores the modified set of 2D images. For some images of the set of2D images, the user's modification may not be applicable. For example,the user's selected wear pattern may only include a wear pattern for thefront of the target garment. Thus, for the set of 2D images which showonly the rear of the garment base, would not be applicable. As anotherexample, the selected wear pattern for a specific image may only bepartially applicable. For an off-center image of the base garment, notall the selected wear pattern may appear, since the angle of the basegarment that the 2D image is captured would result in the selected wearpattern being partially obscured.

In a step 2205, the system includes showing the set of modified 2Dimages in a 3D view. For example, the 3D view may include allowing theuser to rotate the set of modified 2D images. The user may drag androtate or click and rotate the modified 2D images so that, as the usermanipulates the set of modified 2D images, the different images from theset of modified 2D images are shown to the user. Each of the set ofmodified 2D images may include a view of the selected garment base at adifferent angle. The different angles may be approximately the samenumber of degrees between each consecutive image.

The user may also be provided with additional options to further modifysizing or positioning of the wear pattern, or choose a new wear pattern.The 3D view may include the set of modified 2D images as a graphicsinterchange format (or GIF).

In a step 2207, the system includes providing a target garment andcreating the wear pattern on the target garment. The target garmentincludes a real-world version of the base garment selected by the user.For example, the target garment is a pair of jeans, adapted for laserfinishing. From the input with modified sizing or positioning from theuser, the target garment is finished with the wear pattern.

FIG. 23 shows an overall flow 2301 for creating a three-dimensionalpreview for a particular apparel product, such as a pair of jeans. With360 degree or 3D photography of a target garment and a mapping of thelaser pattern to an approximate or measured 3D surface, the user canview and rotate the created product with laser pattern in 3D usingtechniques described previously.

More specifically, the unfinished jeans are placed on a mannequin ormodel. A series of photographs of the jeans on the mannequin are takenwhile on a turntable, which rotates 360 degrees. The user selects alaser input file with a laser finished pattern that is to be applied tothe preview. However, the laser input file is for jeans when flat, notworn. This is because the jeans will be lasered while flat. In order toapply the laser input file correctly to the mannequin-worn jeans, amapping of the contours of the jeans as worn by the mannequin isperformed. With this mapping, the laser input file is altered ordistorted using a mathematical transformation (e.g., projection) ontothe mapping. This results in an accurate preview of the worn jeans withlaser finish pattern. The user will be able to see a 360-degree view ofthe jeans with finishing pattern. This preview may be provided in adigital file, such as a video file or image file. In a specificimplementation, an animated Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) format isused.

FIG. 24 shows using a turntable that may be used to capture series ofphotographs of the jeans on the mannequin. FIG. 25 shows an electricturntable which turns one revolution or 360 degrees automatically, whilethe camera is set to capture a number of photos during that rotation.Alternatively, instead of using a turntable, a rotatable camera can beset up at and moved or rotated 360 degrees around the worn jeans. Thecamera is set at a fixed distance from the turntable or mannequin.

A set of 360-degree photographs will be taken of any fit or base shadeintended for display. A process for repeatable and known rotation anglesis required. Alignment landmark locations will also need to be selectedat data creation.

The number of photos that are taken can vary. For example, 15 photos canbe taken, which would result in one photo for every 24 degrees; 30photos can be taken, which would result in one photo for every 12degrees; 60 photos can be taken, which would result in one photo forevery 6 degrees; or 120 photos can be taken, which would result in onephoto for every 3 degrees. The more photos that are taken, the moreviews the user will be able to see in the 3D preview. However, the filesize will be larger and processing time needed to create the 3D previewwill be greater. The photos captured are of base fabric templateswithout any laser finishing.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a three-dimensional mapping onto contours orshape of the mannequin or model wearing the jeans. A three-dimensionalmapping 2601 of the two-dimensional pattern file 2605 is generated. Thismay initially use a simple fixed geometry but modified further to acceptany input geometry. This mapping will initialize with alignment markers.

FIG. 27 shows an example of perspective transformation. For all photosin the rotating photo set, a perspective transformation will beperformed on the 3D-mapped pattern files. Rotation will initially onlybe about the long axis. In other implementations, rotation can be aboutany arbitrary axis. For example, a source image 2701 is transformed ontoa three-dimensional surface, such as a target image 2703. The targetimage 2703 includes multiple points, such as the corners of the targetimage 2703, which is processed by the 3D previewing tool to understandhow the source image 2701 should appear.

FIG. 28 shows a more detailed flow for creating a three-dimensionalpreview. A base garment is selected. The base garment may be any pieceof apparel where the laser finish is to be applied. The base garment isplaced on a model. Rotational photography is performed to capture a setof 360-degree photos at various angles of the base garment.

Using the selected base garment, a profile measurement is taken. Thisprofile measurement is input to a map or approximate surface profileprocess, which maps or approximates the surface of the base garment togenerate a mapped surface profile.

There is a map pattern to surface profile process, which takes as inputthe mapped surface file and a two-dimensional finish pattern. The mappattern to surface profile process creates a three-dimensional mappedfinish pattern from these inputs.

A created rotated pattern views process takes as input the set of360-degree photos and the 3D mapped finish pattern, and generatesrotated pattern views and angles. Image techniques are used to create 3Dviews from 3D photos and 3D patterns, using as input the 360-degreephotos and the rotated pattern views and angles. The rotated patternviews and angles will result in a rotatable compilation of 3D views,which are viewable using a view (e.g., GIF viewer).

FIG. 29 shows a graph and equation for a mathematical technique to mapor approximate a surface profile. The result of using this technique isa mapped surface profile. An estimate of shape distortion of a 2D imagecan be obtained by calculating known distances in 3D (e.g., via scan ordepth image). An approximate 3D transform can also be performed. Withthis, multiple views can be shown from by using only a single mapping.

In FIG. 27, the variables are: x′=x position in image; y′=y position inimage; d=distance to image plane; X=Real world X position; Y=Real worldY position; and Z=Real world Z position.

FIG. 30 shows of a technique of shape projection. With a 3D mapping ofthe finish pattern, multiple views can be produced through rotationsabout a specified axis. There is a matrix for rotation Z, rotation Y,and rotation X. There is a matrix for scaling in three dimensions. Thereis a matrix for translation in three dimensions. By matrix multiple,these matrices are used to calculated new X, Y, and Z coordinates at adesired rotation angle. As an example, a vector X, Y, Z is multiplied bythe rotation Z matrix to determine new X, Y, Z coordinates rotated bytheta degrees about Z.

In FIG. 30, the variables are: θ=rotation angle about Z; β=rotationangle about Y; α=rotation angle about X; Sx=scale factor in X; Sy=scalefactor in Y; Sz=scale factor in Z; Tx=translation in X; Ty=translationin Y; Tz=translation in Z; X=current X position; Y=current Y position;and Z=current Z position.

This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise form described, and manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the teachingabove. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical applications.This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilizeand practice the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing a set ofimages of a jeans garment base, without a finishing pattern, wherein theset of images comprises a plurality of two-dimensional images of thejeans garment base; in a jeans design tool, generating three-dimensionalpreview imagery on a computer screen of a jeans garment as customized bya user with a finishing pattern to be created by a laser, wherein thejeans design tool comprises providing a first option for the user toselect a jeans garment base and upon the user's selection, showing firstpreview imagery on the computer screen that is three-dimensional imagerygenerated from the plurality of two-dimensional images of the jeansgarment base, wherein the first preview imagery comprises a jeans baseimagery for the selected jeans garment base, providing a second optionfor the user to select a finishing pattern from a menu of finishingpatterns, wherein each finishing pattern is associated with a laserinput file to be used by a laser to produce that finishing pattern ontothe jeans garment, after the finishing pattern is selected, showingsecond preview imagery on the computer screen that is three-dimensionalimagery comprising the selected finishing pattern mapped onto a surfaceprofile of the jeans base imagery, wherein the second preview imageryreplaces the first preview imagery, wherein the second preview imageryis generated comprising generating adjusted base imagery from the jeansbase imagery without the finishing pattern, generating a pattern maskbased on the laser input file associated with the selected finishingpattern, for a pixel at a pixel location of the second preview imagery,obtaining a first contribution by combining a first value associatedwith a pixel of the pattern mask at a pattern mask pixel location thatcorresponds to the pixel location of the second preview imagery and avalue of a pixel of the jeans base imagery at a base imagery pixellocation that corresponds to the pixel location of the second previewimagery, for the pixel at the pixel location of the second previewimagery, obtaining a second contribution by combining a second valueassociated with the pixel of the pattern mask at the pattern mask pixellocation that corresponds to the pixel location of the second previewimagery and a value of a pixel of the adjusted base imagery at anadjusted base image pixel location that corresponds to the pixellocation of the second preview imagery, and combining the firstcontribution and the second contribution to obtain a combined value forthe pixel at the pixel location of the second preview imagery.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the second preview imagery is stored as aGraphics Interchange Format (GIF) file.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe jeans design tool includes allowing the user to view the secondpreview imagery at multiple different angles in three dimensions.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the set of images of the selected jeansgarment base is generated using a contour generation process, and duringthe contour generation process, the selected jeans garment base is wornby a mannequin.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of images ofthe selected jeans garment base is generated using a contour generationprocess, and during the contour generation process, the selected jeansgarment base is not flat.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the secondpreview imagery comprises a set of two-dimensional images.
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the second preview imagery comprises at least 18two-dimensional images.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the secondpreview imagery comprises at least 30 two-dimensional images.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the second preview imagery comprises at least60 two-dimensional images.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein theselected finishing pattern comprises at least one of combs orhoneycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 comprising: providing a target garment correspondingto the jeans garment base selected by the user; and based on a laserinput file associated with a selected finishing pattern, using a laserto create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the target garment.12. The method of claim 1 comprising: in the jeans design tool, allowingthe user to modify a positioning of the finishing pattern relative tothe jeans garment base, and displaying this modification as part of thesecond preview imagery.
 13. The method of claim 1 comprising: in thejeans design tool, allowing the user to modify a sizing of the finishingpattern relative to the jeans garment base, and displaying thismodification as part of the second preview imagery.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 comprising: in the jeans design tool, allowing the user tomodify a positioning or sizing, or combination, of the finishing patternrelative to the jeans garment base, and displaying this modification aspart of the second preview imagery.
 15. The method of claim 1comprising: by way of the jeans design tool, allowing the user to selecta desired viewing angle with which to view the second preview imagery.16. The method of claim 1 comprising: by way of the jeans design tool,allowing the user to use a pointing device to rotate the second previewimagery to a desired viewing angle.
 17. The method of claim 1comprising: by way of the jeans design tool, allowing the user to use apointing device to rotate the second preview imagery to a desiredviewing angle about a single axis.
 18. The method of claim 1 comprising:by way of the jeans design tool, allowing the user to use a pointingdevice to rotate the second preview imagery to a desired viewing angleabout any arbitrary axis.
 19. A method comprising: providing a set ofimages of a garment base, without a finishing pattern to be created by alaser, wherein the set of images comprises a plurality oftwo-dimensional images of the garment base; in a garment design tool,generating three-dimensional preview imagery on a computer screen of agarment as customized by a user with a finishing pattern to be createdby a laser, wherein the garment design tool comprises providing a firstoption for the user to select a garment base and upon the user'sselection, showing first preview imagery on the computer screen that isthree-dimensional imagery generated from the plurality oftwo-dimensional images of the garment base, wherein the first previewimagery comprises garment base imagery for the selected garment base,providing a second option for the user to select a finishing patternfrom a menu of finishing patterns, wherein each finishing pattern isassociated with a laser input file to be used by a laser to produce thatfinishing pattern onto the garment, after the finishing pattern isselected, showing second preview imagery on the computer screen that isthree-dimensional imagery comprising the selected finishing patternmapped onto a surface profile of the garment base imagery, wherein thesecond preview imagery replaces the first preview imagery, wherein thesecond preview imagery is generated comprising generating adjusted baseimagery from the garment base imagery without the finishing pattern,generating a pattern mask based on the laser input file associated withthe selected finishing pattern, for a pixel at a pixel location of thesecond preview imagery, obtaining a first contribution by combining afirst value associated with a pixel of the pattern mask at a patternmask pixel location that corresponds to the pixel location of the secondpreview imagery and a value of a pixel of the garment base imagery at abase imagery pixel location that corresponds to the pixel location ofthe second preview imagery, for the pixel at the pixel location of thesecond preview imagery, obtaining a second contribution by combining asecond value associated with the pixel of the pattern mask at thepattern mask pixel location that corresponds to the pixel location ofthe second preview imagery and a value of a pixel of the adjusted baseimagery at an adjusted base image pixel location that corresponds to thepixel location of the second preview imagery, and combining the firstcontribution and the second contribution to obtain a combined value forthe pixel at the pixel location of the second preview imagery.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein the garment to be customized by a user in thegarment design tool comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirts,shorts, jackets, vests, or skirts, or a combination.